Professional and Personal Development Programs

Conflict Resolution; 5/2; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. During this course, we will learn the different types of conflict, learn to use several tools to help us address conflict in healthy and productive ways, learn how to reap the benefits of conflict, and finally how to mitigate its risks. We’ll also practice using these tools together so that we can all become more confident in handling disagreements within our team and in our personal lives.

Depression, Anxiety, and Burnout: Moving Toward Hope and Health; 5/7; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. For some people, feelings of depression, anxiety, and burnout may seem insurmountable. Those experiencing these conditions are far from alone, but recognizing when we need extra support for our emotional and mental well-being is critical. This discussion defines each of these conditions, including the signs and symptoms and ways to seek help when needed.

Creating and Maintaining Your LinkedIn Profile; 5/10; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. This session will review tips on creating a great LinkedIn profile that will get you noticed by recruiters and industry professionals.

Virtual Workshop: Mindful Communication; 5/15; noon-1 p.m.; online; free. “Mindfulness is paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” —Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindful communication shines awareness on our intentions in communication. We will learn how to be intentional, stay present, observe our thoughts, and manage our feelings while listening and being heard—rue communication. In this experiential workshop, you’ll enjoy how mindful communication can help us be more at home in our own skin, as well as be curious and communicate with intention both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation or mindfulness experience necessary.

Health Advocate Presents: Mental Health and Me (10 a.m.); 5/16; 10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.; online; free. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to take time to reflect, understand and explore how to care for your own mental and emotional well-being. It is important to prioritize your own health before you can support and help others. Join us for this webinar to explore strategies to manage our mental/emotional health as well as use available resources to help. We will also take a look at early warning signs to seek help and techniques to maintain positive mental health and wellness.

Radical Resilience: Ideas for Sustainable Life Balance; 5/23; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. The term “anti-fragility,” coined by NYU professor Nassim Nicholas Taleb, takes the concept of resilience to the next level by asserting that there are conditions whereby we are not only able to bounce back, but we become even stronger as a result. This interactive workshop is part of our Ideas for Sustainable Life Balance series that provides tools for increasing your ability to be super-resilient. Based on the work of Harvard educator Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment.

Effectively Communicating in the Workplace; 5/28; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. With successful communication, organizations have increased morale, productivity and staff commitment. This brown-bag lunch program will help participants understand the importance of workplace communication, identify proper communication channels, identify barriers to communicating effectively, and how to overcome communication challenges.

Grow Where You are Planted: Making the Best of Situations; 5/30; noon-1 p.m.; online, free. In life, sometimes it’s time for a change, and other times it isn’t. How do we know when to accept things as they are, or when a change in perspective is needed? This seminar explores the typical flow of human reactions and responses and offers participants practical tips for enjoying and thriving in whatever stage they may be in. Proven strategies like gaining clarity, creative brainstorming, re-framing and parallel paths are also discussed.

Writing Emails that Get to the Point; 5/30; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; online; free. Because so many of your communications are via email, this is a great chance for you to spend a short time learning how to do it better. Email demands clear and efficient writing, but we’ve all seen how easily misunderstandings in email messages can compromise clear communication. Attend this helpful brown bag to get a fast-paced, hands-on lesson to strengthen your email writing skills. Through examples and exercises, you will learn how to target your audience, get to the point, and develop and maintain a professional email style.

Work-Life Workshops

Smart Money Moves with Metlife; 5/8; noon-1 p.m.; online; free. No matter your age or circumstances, you can follow these 10 key tips to help set you up for long-term financial success. In this workshop, you will learn about getting the most out of your company retirement plan, credit reports and scores, tax diversification strategies and asset allocation.

Virtual Workshop: Mid to Late-Career: Building on Your Solid Financial Foundation with PNC; 5/9; noon-1 p.m.; online; free. If you’re an experienced professional well into your career, you’re likely thinking about current and future life goals, and what it will take financially to achieve them. This workshop offers strategies to help you meet short-, middle- and long-term financial demands, from caring for children and aging parents to potentially starting your own business, and provides a five-step checklist to help you plan for a comfortable retirement.

Bright Horizons Family Webinar: You Really ARE Making a Difference; 5/15; 3-4 p.m.; online; free. Discover the incredible capacity of your child’s developing brain to think, feel, and act, and recognize the remarkable ways you are already nurturing your child’s potential and fostering a future filled with positivity and growth.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

30-Minute Guided Meditation; 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31; noon-12:30 p.m.; online; free. Meditation, quite simply, is training your attention. In an age of distraction, this becomes a very important skill if we are to maintain focus and mental acuity and develop emotional intelligence and fitness. This meditation is guided to encourage spaciousness and stability in your life. It may be the most worthwhile 30 minutes of your day.

30-Minute Chair Yoga Plus Core; 5/6, 5/13; noon-12:30 p.m.; online; free. The Chair Yoga + Core program consists of moves you can do to tone your abdominals, lengthen your spine, and strengthen your entire torso region. Many activities depend on a strong core, from the simple act of bending to put on shoes to the most athletic endeavors. Chair Yoga for the core helps you learn to engage your abdominals correctly. With the abdominals engaged, you’ll find a natural lift and length without having to force anything. In just 30 minutes, both beginners and those who regularly exercise can learn what to do without leaving their desks.

Virtual Chair Yoga; 5/8, 5/22; noon-12:45 p.m.; online; free. Plenty of people turn to yoga for exercise, but striking a pose isn’t for everyone. If you’ve been tempted to try it but don’t know where to start, it’s time to try chair yoga. Chair yoga is a more moderate form of yoga that’s done while sitting in a chair or using a chair for support. You get the same benefits of a regular yoga workout (like increased strength, flexibility, and balance) but don’t have to master complex poses. Chair yoga can even better your breathing and teach you how to relax your mind and improve your wellbeing. Ready to give it a try? Join us for a free Chair Yoga workshop. And don’t worry about your experience or flexibility—chair yoga can be modified for all levels.

Deskercize; 5/15; noon-12:30 p.m.; online; free. This class will take you through a variety of movements that you can do right at your desk. Be prepared to work through a 30-minute low impact strength and flexibility workout.

Guided Mindful Meditation; 5/16; noon-1 p.m.; online; free. This workshop is for participants to practice present moment awareness with kindness and compassion. Our practice will include guided meditation focusing on the breath, body awareness, mindful movement, and other practices to cultivate well-being for yourself and others. The workshop is appropriate for people new to mindfulness practice as well as more experienced practitioners. No experience is necessary; all are warmly welcome.

Spin Class; 5/21; noon-12:45 p.m.; Pottruck Gym, Studio 306; free. Free HR-Sponsored Spin Class, in partnership with Campus Recreation: Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors. With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a virtual outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout and it is great for all fitness levels because you can always ride at a self-directed pace. 

Monthly Wellness Walk: Mental Health Awareness Month; 5/29; noon-1 p.m.; College Hall; free. Meet the team at noon on Woodland Walk, by College Hall and the Ben Franklin statue. The Penn Public Health team will lead you on a two-mile walk on/near campus to help you increase physical activity and steps, plus build community with participating Penn staff and faculty. Be sure to wear sneakers or comfortable shoes, bring water, and invite a colleague to join the celebration! For May, please join us to support Mental Health Awareness Month by wearing green.

Other

2024-2025 Open Enrollment Benefits Information Session Virtual; 5/7; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; online; free. Human Resources’ Benefits Department will conduct a presentation on what’s new and what’s changing for 2024-2025.

—Division of Human Resources